We were lucky to catch up with Magdalena Papaioannou recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Magdalena, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I’ve always worked for myself. I have never known what it is to come into an office every day at 9 am with a manager to report to. I can’t know for sure if that would make me happier, but I can tell you that I love what I do and the freedom it allows me. Just this last summer, I was hired to shoot another commercial lifestyle campaign for Kopu water. I spent a week in Greece scouting luxurious locations, and when I finally landed on one, I realized how lucky I am that I can make a living creating art in one of the most beautiful places in the world! I spent the next day in and out of a salt water pool overlooking the Mediterranean sea taking photos for a luxury bottled water brand. I think a “regular job” provides more consistency than working for yourself. I can’t complain though — I love the freedom that comes with my work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a commercial lifestyle and portrait photographer in the Washington DC area. I specialize in authentic and natural lifestyle advertising photography that helps companies market their brands. My images are used to represent the lifestyle that a brand is enticing their customers to partake in by purchasing their product. Consumers may see an image of someone on a hike using a sustainable reusable water bottle and think, “I hike, I’m outdoorsy, I love this planet… I should have a water bottle like this!”

I also shoot portraits for professionals to use on company websites, LinkedIn, and other social media. My headshots stand out because I utilize natural light and locations. No one is looking for stuffy over produced studio shots anymore. Many of my professional portrait clients also hire me to take lifestyle photos as well. Custom corporate lifestyle images help businesses large and small market themselves without having to use boring stock photography.

I spend a lot of time outdoors searching for dreamy locations to shoot brand campaigns. I also scout and select models, wardrobe, props, and other aspects of the shoot. When I am not selecting wardrobe for a commercial campaign, I am helping local DC professionals select the best outfits to wear for headshots or helping a model build their portfolio!

My clients hire me because I provide high quality work with fast turn around and competitive pricing. They know they can trust me because brands like Calvin Klein and L’oreal trust me. There are a lot of photographers in the DC area but not many with experience working with major brands or shooting outside of the US.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Almost immediately after college, I moved to Los Angeles where I got my start shooting for major brands. After a few years there, I realized that, even though I had found success in my field, I was unhappy. I decided to abandon a lot of my connections and move home to DC. I was able to maintain a few clients but had to cultivate a lot of new ones. After a month or two, I started booking shoots again. Then Covid hit and everything came to a screeching halt! Once things began to open up again, I restarted for the second time. Some of my first bookings post covid were test shoots. I didn’t think I would find a large modeling scene in DC but so many local models have reached out to me to help them build their portfolios! After working with agencies in LA I knew I had the experience to help models here find more success. I still mainly focus on commercial work but I will never turn down a booking for a test shoot. I feel the most creative when working with other creatives!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Respect goes a long way. Even in my own family, people are shocked to hear that photography is my full-time job. I think a lot of people assume that photography is a side hustle or not a “real job”. Respecting an artist’s time, pricing, and the art they produce helps them continue to find success and enrich their community.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.magdalenaphoto.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsthemagdalena
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdalenaphoto/

Image Credits
All photos taken by Magdalena Papaioannou